Author: Brandon Peoples

Tuition appears to be on the rise again at Kansas higher education institutions. The Kansas Board of Regents on Wednesday heard proposals from all six four-year universities for 2025, including Kansas State, which is proposing a 2.8% hike, amounting to roughly $139 per semester. This after last year’s increase of 5%. President Richard Linton says doing so would generate about $5.5 million in additional revenue across all campuses. Linton says applications are up and the university expects an increase in student enrollment this fall. Delays with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) haven’t given university officials any concrete numbers…

Riley County Police are investigating after a Manhattan man was arrested on a host of drug-related offenses early Thursday morning. The arrest report shows 29-year-old Michael Lewis is charged with three alleged counts of distribution involving heroin and other opiates, as well as a charge of fleeing and eluding. RCPD says the investigation into his arrest began late Wednesday night. Further details surrounding the arrest are pending from RCPD.

Gov. Laura Kelly has requested additional funds for disaster relief following the April 30 tornado in Westmoreland. The governor, on Wednesday, sent a letter to the Small Business Administration requesting a disaster loan declaration for Pottawatomie County. The letter requests that the SBA provide assistance in the form of SBA disaster loans. If approved, a disaster declaration would make low-interest, long-term loans available to homeowners, renters and businesses. Officials with the Kansas Division of Emergency Management noted that to qualify for such a declaration, the State of Kansas must show at lest 25 homes or businesses suffered major damage, with…

Former Riley County Schools Superintendent Brad Starnes has announced his candidacy for the State Senate. Starnes, a Republican, will challenge Democrat Usha Reddi for the 22nd District seat. He’ll be looking to flip a Senate seat that has been in Democratic control since 2012, under former Sen. Tom Hawk, who retired at the end of 2022. Reddi was appointed to serve out Hawk’s remaining term. In a Wednesday release, Starnes cited his 43 years of service in public, parochial and private education, including 15 years with USD 378 both as a high school principal and superintendent as reasons he’d be…

Following his retirement announcement recently from the Kansas Legislature, Sen. Jeff Longbine has been making his way across the 17th district, thanking local officials and constituents. The Emporia Republican was at Monday’s Geary County Commission meeting. Longbine has represented the 17th district for 10 years. Joining Longbine at Monday’s Geary County Commission meeting was Mike Argabright, (R-Olpe), a former superintendent at USD 252 Southern Lyon County, whom Longbine has endorsed as his successor in the upcoming election. Argabright is currently the only listed candidate for the 17th district, which encompasses all of Lyon County, but also includes portions of Geary,…

A top Kansas State University official is departing the university this summer for a position at another school. According to a Tuesday news release, Vice President for Research David Rosowsky will become the senior advisor to the president of Arizona State University in early July. Rosowsky joined K-State in July 2021, to lead the university’s research enterprise. Under his tenure, the total extramural awards funding increased to $225 million. Rosowsky launched K-State’s Economic Prosperity Plan, with a goal of creating 3,000 new jobs and $3 billion in additional investments in Kansas by 2029. To date, that plan has generated just…

Some in Manhattan have long clamored for a Red Lobster restaurant, but that prospect looks even dimmer now that the chain has abruptly closed dozens of stores across the country, including three of its Kansas stores due to financial struggles. CNN reports that the company is liquidating restaurant inventory from restaurants including kitchen equipment, furniture, tables and chairs. The auction is being conducted through Thursday by TAGeX Brands, a leading restaurant liquidator. Red Lobster is reportedly considering filing for bankruptcy protection after declines in recent years due to a variety of factors, with some experts citing corporate mismanagement. Last fall,…

A ransomware attack continues to cause disruptions for Ascension patient care. Locally, a Via Christi spokesperson said Monday that all physician offices and care sites remain open and operational in Kansas. Despite challenges, doctor’s appointments are proceeding as planned. Ascension’s retail pharmacies in Kansas are currently not able to fill prescriptions, but that does not impact the Manhattan hospital’s pharmacy, which continues to fill prescriptions. Most hospital services, including surgeries, clinics and testing remain operational as normal, but the organization says patients can expect longer wait times. Nationally, the healthcare system reported Monday that its priority remains on providing safe…

Updated Story Published 5/14 at 2 p.m. by Peter Rice The Riley County Police Department welcomed Senator Jerry Moran on Monday to announce $250,000 in secured grants going towards their crime scene investigation lab. RCPD lab technician Michael Cherms invited Sen. Moran where he identified the need to improve both the working conditions for lab personnel and evidence preservation. Public information officer Ashley Tokoi said the department ended up receiving more grants than expected thanks to Moran. The crime lab originally reached out about improving their fume hoods… Tokoi added that the department will conduct a review sometime in the…

A Manhattan woman has filed for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives. Kim Zito announced in a Monday news release her candidacy, after filing with the Secretary of State’s office. Zito filed by petition, collecting over 400 signatures. Candidates filing by petition are required to obtain 2% of registered voters in the same party. To date, Zito’s campaign has raised over $41,000. Zito’s top election issues include protecting abortion rights, property tax relief, Medicaid expansion and fully funding public schools and special education. Zito ran as a Democrat two years ago but was defeated by Republican Mike Dodson,…